A Dictionary of British and Irish History

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TACITUS

(b. 56 or 57 in S France or N Italy; d. after 115, aged over 58). Publius or Gaius Cornelius Tacitus became a Roman senator and eventually consul (97), and was governor of Asia (in modern Turkey) 112–13. His principal historical works, the Histories (covering 69–96, though only the first portion survives) and the Annals (covering 14–68, of which the majority survives), include valuable passages on the initial period of ROMAN BRITAIN. In addition, one of his earliest works, the Agricola (published c.98), a biography of his father‐in‐law AGRICOLA, includes a detailed (if eulogistic) account of the expansion of Britannia under Agricola’s governorship.

TACKSMAN

In Scotland, the holder of a written lease or ‘tack’. In the HIGHLANDS and Islands from the 17th century the term was applied to a CLAN chief's immediate subordinates (so‐called ‘clan gentry’). They individually held lands from a chief (now by formal lease) which they sublet, by township (Gaelic baile), to joint‐tenants. (Tacksmen also mobilized clan members for fighting.) From the 1730s (accelerating from the 1770s) chiefs eliminated tacksmen in order to gain the full rent of tenant‐clansmen. Some tacksmen became large tenants (often specializing in cattle ranching), others became estate agents (managers), while others emigrated. Removal of tacksmen weakened clan cohesion and enabled CLEARANCES to take place. See also SOCIAL STRUCTURE, NORTH BRITAIN AND SCOTLAND.

TAFF VALE CASE

Legal action taken in 1901 by ...